Pat McCrory on Abortion

Stricter regulations on abortions & abortion clinics

The Senate voted 32-13 to approve a House-written version of the sweeping abortion bill. It would impose stricter regulations on abortion clinics, require more contact between abortion clinic doctors and patients, and limit insurance coverage for the
procedure.

The bill now goes to Gov. Pat McCrory, who has said he would sign the House version but not the Senate's, over concerns that the Senate's bill imposed undue obstacles to abortions rather than acceptable health safeguards.

While
campaigning for governor last fall, McCrory said he would not support any new restrictions on abortions. He recently said the House bill satisfies safety concerns while not further restricting access.

Clinics would be required to meet standards
applicable to those of outpatient surgery centers. Only one of the state's 16 abortion clinics currently meets such standards, and officials have said it is possible some would close if they had to upgrade to that extent.